The exact prototype for the genetically altered salmon...you saw it here first!

This morning, I turned on NPR to hear Diane Rehm talking about the Pros and Cons of genetically altered salmon. While it’s sweetly politically correct of her to entertain the thought that their might be pros to genetically altered salmon, I thought I was going to be sick just listening to the show. In the program it was mentioned that these genetically altered barf salmon have been “in the works” for over a decade. When I started doing some research for this post, I found that Diane Rehm actually featured this story (about the same company!) in May, 2000. There is a link to listen to the full story at the top of this page– I strongly recommend that you take a listen…especially if you’re a salmon-lover. In the near future what you call salmon may become a rarity.

I found all of this overwhelmingly disgusting and infuriating (which are not particularly great feelings while you’re driving at 70mph on the highway). As if the food industry had not been sufficiently perverted (you know, with its corn-eating-cows, hormone-stuffed chickens and farmed fish– farmed fish wasn’t sufficient? Seriously?), here we go, perpetuating the situation.

I recently posted about the Food Revolution and my decision to become a vegetarian because of how appalled I am with meat production in this country. It is not my intention to preach to anyone. I genuinely believe that the only way to effectively implement positive changes in your life and in your government’s food policies is to make the decision on your own.

I’ve mentioned before that if you’re interested in learning more about what you’re putting into your body the documentary Food, Inc is a great place to start. There are also a few books on food on my to read list. Have I inspired you to do it yet? Not yet? Don’t worry, I will one of these days.

People everywhere want to know how they can help. Do you want to know how you can help?

If you haven’t yet decided to make a contribution, put yourself, your loved ones and your family in this position. I know that not everyone is in a place to make a monetary contribution, but your time is just as valuable as your money. Check out local charities that are sending aid to Haiti. If they haven’t already started looking for volunteers to help sort food, clothing and other donations, they will be looking for them soon.

If you’ve decided to make a contribution, deciding which organization to donate to can be overwhelming.

Here are my suggestions

The Help Haiti Blog Challenge: If you provide products or services and would like to contribute a portion (or all) of your profits to the relief effort in Haiti, check this out. If you are participating in the Help Haiti Blog Challenge, please let me know, as I would love to promote your work.

Direct Relief International in collaboration with Reddit.com: Reddit users were concerned about what their contributions would be used for. In response, Reddit did some research and partnered up to ensure that 100% of donations go directly to the relief effort. Reddit’s contributions are already on the way.

Individuals doing big things

Naomi @ the Rockstar Diaries

Isabelle Debrosse Hardesty @ Debrosse Hardesty Etsy Shop (For more Etsy sellers who are contributing proceeds to disaster relief check out apartment therapy.)

Jenn @ IndieFixx

Do you know someone who is doing something wonderful to contribute to relief efforts in Haiti?  Are you doing something wonderful to contribute? Please share!

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I have to admit that I’ve been so busy shopping for others (er..and myself), that I’ve paid very little attention to what’s been going on in the world. This morning I decided I would do a little shopping catching up on current events. I skimmed through CNN, Reddit, NYtimes and here are some interesting and not so interesting stories being covered in today’s news.

Tiger Woods and Governor Mark Sanford are unfaithful. Mrs. Sanford is filing for divorce, Tiger’s wife moved to a different house in the same neighborhood. I could have lived my entire life having never read these stories and I would be just fine.

Terrorists! Americans arrested in Pakistan because they thought they ought to wage jihad. With terrorism becoming a regularly featured topic on the news (not to mention how lightly the term is used), I’ve become rather desensitized to stories like these. Two thumbs down.

In more relevant news Kucinich plans to force vote on US withdrawing from Afghanistan. This was in response to Afghan President Hamid Karzai’s announcement that he wants the American troops to hangout in Afghanistan for the next 15 years. The focus had been on Iraq for so long that I was compelled to do some refresher reading on Afghanistan. I found this great article in TIME magazine.

Obama accepted his Nobel Peace prize. You can find my opinion on there here.

They’re talking about Climate in Copenhagen. Judging by the articles on the NYTimes site dedicated to this, they are talking a lot!

And this concludes my morning of catching up on current events.

As for the shopping, you can blame Emily at Cupcakes and Cashmere for inspiring me to go on a spending spree. Stay tuned for what not to do when you should be on a budget.

And whatever you do, don’t miss my Recessionista Party tonight!